Vent for garment cleaning systems



March 19, 1935. R. A. HETZER 1,995,064

VENT FOR GARMENT CLEANING SYSTEMS Filed Aug. 5, 1951 INVENTOR 15 053544 A. fie-r20? Patented Mar. 19, 1935 PATENT oFFici;

VENT FOR GARMENT CLEANING SYSTEMS Russell A. Hetzer, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to The American Laundry Machinery Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio I Application August 3, 1931, Serial No. 554,781

9 Claims. (Cl. 68-38) My invention relates to method and apparatus for treating fabrics and, particularly, to a method of treating fabrics with a volatile detergent having a low boiling point and to apparatus for removing the foreign matter from the detergent after the treating operation whereby the detergent may be used in subsequent operations with but little loss in the volume thereof together with apparatus for venting the system in such manner that the solvent vapor laden air must pass through a liquid in its travel to the atmosphere which, in addition to sealing the vent to the atmosphereprovides an air washing process to remove the solvent vapor from the air by con-' use.

In fabric treating machines, it is desirable to be able to repeatedly use the samedetergent and to t have the detergent equally effective in each operation, or to use the same supply of detergent over and over in rapid succession. This is made possible by the apparatus provided for removing the foreign matter from the detergent after the treating operation. It is also desirable tov have the entire circulating system as nearly closed to the outside atmosphere as possible toprevent loss of the volatile detergent into the atmosphere and to have means provided for removing the solvent from the solvent vapor laden air that passes to the atmosphere during the various op erations that take place in the-apparatus. However, means are preferably provided for giving suiiicient access to the atmosphere to prevent the formation of excess vacuum or pressure conditions within the apparatus to obviate the possibility of injury to the apparatus due to such con-H ditions.

The apparatus for carrying out this method of,

treating fabrics is the same as that disclosed in my previous application Serial No. 462,061, filed June 18, 1930, to which reference may be had for details hereinafter disclosed and comprises a storage tank for holding a supply of the treating solvent, a fabric treating compartment where densation and to collect the solvent for further.

.vented from the apparatus to a washing process to remove the solvent vapor from the air by condensationand collect the solvent from the air for further use.

Various objectsand advantageous features of my invention will be seen in the following description and one embodiment thereof may lieseenin the accompanying drawing wherein sim ilar characters of reference designate corresponding parts, and wherein: l

. Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the apparatus employed in conjunction with the hereinafter dis- 15 closed method of treating fabrics; and Fig. 2 is a fragmentary-view showing a modified form of apparatus for providing a liquid seal in the air vents of the apparatus and for providing a means for removing the solvent from the solvent laden 20 air and collecting such solvent for further use.

In the drawing, I have shown an apparatus for treating fabrics together with a means for supplying a volatile detergent to a treating compartment, removing the detergent from the washer after the treating operation, means for removing the foreign matter from the detergent and transferring it to a supply tank ready for use in a subsequent operation, and means for drying and deodorizing the fabricsv in the treating 30 compartment'comprising a fabric treating com- .partment 1 that is, as is well known, provided on its interior with the usual rotatable goods container which is driven in alternately reverse directions by a motor or power unit operatively 35 connected to the goods container by the usual speed reduction mechanism as is customary in these devices. A storage tank 2 is, preferably mounted at a higher level than the treating compa-rtmenti and provides a means forproviding a supply of the volatile liquid to be used in the treating operations, this liquid being preferably for regulating the quantity of treating medium which passes from the storage tank to the treating compartment.- 1

In order to prevent any water or moisture which may collect and float on th surface of the treating medium within the storage tank 2 from gravitating into the treating compartment 1 through theconduit 3, the portion of the conduit 3 within the tank 2 is provided with two branches and 6, one of which extends upwardly to a point adjacent the top of the tank 2 whereby it is always above the level of the top sur-- face of the treating medium within the storage tank, and the other of which takes the form of a 90 elbow having its lower open endbut slightly above the bottom of the tank 2"whereby the medium flowing out of the storage tank through the conduit 3 always flows from the lowermost part of the tank. Therefore, valve 4 being open for filling the treating compartment 1, the treating medium will drain from the storage tank 2 until it has reached a level just slightly below the point of connection of the branch 5 with the branch 6. At this point, the: flow of the treating medium will stop. Thus the level of the content'sof the storage tank 2 can never therefore drop to the point of the opening of the branch 5 and water or moisture floating on the surface of the treatingmediumwill not be drained into the treating compartment.

A conduit 7 leads from the bottom of the treating compartment 1 to a sump tank 8 located below the compartment and is provided with a valve 9for controlling the flow of treating medium from a treating compartment to the sump tank. Filter means 10 are provided at the delivery end of the conduit 7 through which the medium passing from the treating compartment into the sump tank must 'necessarily flow. This provides a means forcatching and retaining any particles The used treating medium renovated by drawing the used treating medium from the sump "tank Bthrough a conduit 11 under the control of a valve" 12 by means of a pump '13 and forcing the'used mediuminto an evaporator 14 from 7 which the vaporized treating medium passes to a condenser 15 by way of a conduit 16. The condensed liquid or treating medium is then delivered to'a point adjacent the bottom of the storage tank'2 by way'of a conduit 17 and a water or other filter-=18. An'auxiliary evaporator 19 hav- "ingoperative connection withthe evaporator 14 and condenser 15 is provided to operate in conjunction with the evaporator 14 for evaporating any treating medium not vaporized by the evaporator l and for vaporizing any treating medium in the sludge that deposits in the bottom of the evaporator 14.

' In addition to the hereinbefore described apparatus for recirculating and renovating the treating medium, suitable apparatus is provided for deodorizing and drying the fabric in the'treating compartment as a part of the treating operation and before removal of the fabric therefrom. This apparatus comprises a condenser 20, a fan 21, an air heater 22, all connected in a circuit with-the treating compartment 1, the circuit being under the control of suitable valves 23, 24

and 25 whereby heated or atmospheric air may. -be selectively passed through the treating compartment and the fabric therein to dry and deodorizethe fabric, the condenser 20 serving to reclaim any treating medium carried away from the fabric by the circulation of air therethrough.

In accordance with my invention, a suitable means is provided in combination with the above described apparatus for subjecting the treating medium laden air normallyvented from the apparatus to a washing process for removing the treating medium therefrom. This means comprises a receptacle or tank. 26 together with a .novel arrangement of vending conduits leading from the various parts of the apparatus to the tank or receptacle 26 where the air is subjected to the washing operation and from which it is vented to the atmosphere. The tank or receptacle 26 is adapted to contain a supply of liquid 27, for instance, water, which forms the air washing medium.

In the vent pipe arrangement, a conduit 28 leads from the sump tank 8 and from a point above the liquid therein to the interior of the tank or receptacle 26, the conduit 28 terminating in a T-connection one end 30 of which extends to a point above the liquid in the receptacle or tank and the other end 31 of which extends to a point just above the bottom of the receptacle or tank. A conduit 32 leads from the condenser 20 to the upper side of the sump tank 8 by way of a conduit 33 and a conduit 34 having a check valve 35 therein leads from the joinder oiI the conduits 32 and 33 to a point adjacent the bottom of the tank or receptacle 26. This conduit 34 has a connection with the storage tank 2 by way of a conduit 36. Suitable vacuum breakers 37 and 38 are provided in this system of vent conduits for relieving vacuum conditions within any part of the apparatus. A conduit 39 leads from the top of the tank or receptacle 26 to the atmosphere.

In the operation of this part of the apparatus and after the solvent indicated by the numeral 40 accumulates in the tank or receptacle 26 due to a condensing action, the combined level of liquid and solvent tends to rise above the point at. which the conduit 28 connects with the T-connection within the tank or'receptacle. Them-assuming the conduit 28 to be open, when the level of the combined liquid and. solvent rises suiliciently above the T-connection, the solvent 40 flows out of the receptacle from the lower end 31 of the branch into the conduit 28-and thence into the sump tank 8 under pressure of the head of liquid vent 40 within the receptacleand to prevent the removal ofanything but the pure solvent 40 or treating medium which is formed by condensation of vapor in the saturated air venting from the apparatus throughthe tank or receptacle and which accumulates in the bottom thereof in the form of substantially pure solvent or treating medium which in this instance is heavier than the washing liquid.

If it is desired the valve 29 may be placed in the conduit 28 to control the flow of the solvent from the receptacle 26 to the sump tank 8. In this case the attention of the operator is required. When the contents of the receptacle has risen to a point just below the upper end 30 of the branch pipe in the receptacle, the operator must open the valve and allow the contents to drain into the sump tank.

As above stated the level will drop until it has reached a point below the T-connection and the flow of solvent 40 will then stop. The operator will then close the valve -29. Because of the importance of maintaining the given amount of liquid 27 in the receptacle it may be provided with a sight glass or other means for indicating the level of the combined liquid and treating medium.

During the operation of this apparatus, when the treating medium or solvent for a washing operation is admitted to the treating compartment 1 from the storage tank 2, the air which this treating medium or solvent displaces in the treating compartment 1 has become vapor laden and any vapor which is not condensed in the condenser 20, passes upwardly through the condenser 20 into the conduit 32 past check valve 35 through conduit 36 into the storage tank 2, thus equalizing the pressure in the storage tank. Should a condiT tion exist where the pressure in the conduits 32, 34 and 36 is greater than is required to equalize pressure in the storage tank 2, such additional vapor laden air will be conducted to the receptacle 26 where it will bubble up through the liquid 27 and the vapor contained therein will be condensed and collect at the bottom in the form of the pure solvent 40. The air will pass out-at the top of the receptacle through conduit 39 to the atmosphere.

Similarly when the treating medium is drained from the treating compartment 1 into the sump tank 8, the quantity thus drained displaces the quantity of air in the sump tank which is saturated with a solvent vapor and which passes upwardly through the conduit 33 through the conduit 32 into the condenser 20 thence downwardly into the treating compartment 1 to equalize the vacuum condition which was effected by the draining of the solvent.

As in the former case, should an excess pressure condition exist, that excess pressure is relieved by passage of the vapor laden air through the conduit 34 past the check valve into the receptacle 26 wherein the vapor is removed by the liquid 21 and the free air passes to the atmosphere.

When the treating solvent is pumped from the sump tank to the evaporator 14 for the purpose of renovation a quantity of air which is vapor laden due to its contact with the solvent and which is non-condensable in the condenser 15 due to its comparatively low temperature, passes upwardly to the conduit 16 through the condenser 15 downwardly through the conduit 17 into the storage tank 2 thence bubbling up through the contents of the storage tank pa'ssesthrough conduit 36 through conduit 34 into the receptacle 26 where the vapor is removed by the liquid 27 and the free air passes into the atmosphere. The passage of the vapor laden air from the conduit 36 toward the conduit 32 is prevented by the check valve 35.

During the renovationprocess the hot vapor passes from the evaporator 14 into the condenser 15 where the vapors are condensed and the now pure solvent drains into the storage tank 2. The vapor laden air which is displaced in the storage tank 2 passes upwardly through the conduit 36 thence through conduit 34 to the receptacle 26 where the vapors are removed as before stated and the free air passes to the atmosphere. Again in this case the vapor laden air from the conduit 36 is prevented from passing into the conduit 32 by the check valve 35.

Referring to Figure 2, I have shown the modified form of my invention wherein the washing apparatus hereinbefore described is provided with a spray device or atomized for delivering the air washing liquid at the top of the tank or receptacle 26. In this arrangement, a conduit 41 is connected to the tank or receptacle 26 and extends into the liquid 2'7, the point of entrance of the conduit being at such a height that it will at no time be in connection with the solvent 40. The other end of the conduit 41 is connected to a pump 42 and another conduit 43 leads from the pump 42 to the top of the tank or receptacle 26 where it extends into the space above the liquid 27 and is joined to a spray device or atomizer 44. Otherwise the air washing apparatus is the same as that hereinbefore described.

The construction of the drain means for removing solvent from the receptacle 26 is particularly important where the spray device or atomizer forms a part of the apparatus. For example, should the valve 29 be omitted or open, the arrangement of the drain with the end of the T-connection terminating below the spray head 44 will ensure that a space will be provided between the liquid level and the head 44 in which a spray of condensing liquid will be efiective.

With the above construction I have provided a. venting arrangement in combination with apparatus for treating fabrics and renovating the used treating medium whereby it may be employed over and over again, which venting arrangement tends to equalize the vapor pressure throughout the system and which in the case of the development of excessive pressure conducts the vapor laden air through a washing process which removes the vapor and allows only free air to pass into the atmosphere.

I have provided a means to prevent formation of vacuum at any point in the system. In this connection the vacuum breakers 37 and 38 of the type to admit air to the system but ineffective as a pressure release means are so set that at the end of the day when the system has cooled down and there is a tendency to produce a vacuum, the contents of the receptacle 26 will not be drawn upwardly through the conduit 34 into the system.

One advantage of such an apparatus results in the immense saving in treating medium that would otherwise pass to the atmosphere and be totally lost. Various other advantageous features will ,be readily apparent.

What I claim is:

1. A dry cleaning system of the class described, comprising fabric treating apparatus containing a volatile detergent for treating fabric, means for maintaining a substantially atmospheric pressure within said apparatus while closing it against free communication with the atmosphere, including vacuum relief means for said apparatus and pressure release vent means therefor including a liquid seal receptacle, a condensing liquid in said receptacle lighter than the detergent liquid, a vent pipe leading from said treating apparatus and communicating with said receptacle below the level of condensing liquid therein, said receptacle having an open vent to the atmosphere.

2. A dry cleaning system of the class described, comprising fabric treating apparatus containing a volatile detergent for treating fabric, means for maintaining, a substantially atmospheric pressure within said apparatus while closing it against free communication with the atmosphere, including vacuum relief means for said apparatus, and pressure release vent means therefor including a liquid seal receptacle, a condensing liquid in said receptacle lighter than the detergent liquid, means for drawing detergent liquid only from said receptacle, a vent pipe leading from said treating apparatus and communicating with said receptacle below the level of condensing liquid therein, said receptacle having an open vent to the atmosphere.

3. A dry cleaning system of the class described, comprising fabrictreating apparatus containing a volatile detergent, means for maintaining a substantially atmospheric pressure within said apparatus while closing it against free communication with the atmosphere, including pressure release vent means therefor having a liquid seal receptacle, a condensing liquid in said receptacle lighter than said detergent liquid, a vent pipe leading from said treating apparatus and communicating with said receptacle below the level of condensing liquid therein, and anopen vent to the atmosphere from said receptacle.

4. Dry cleaning apparatus of the class described, including a container for a volatile detergent liquid, means connecting said container in open communication with the other partsof the apparatus, means for maintaining a substantially atmospheric pressure within said container, including pressure release vent means therefor having a liquid seal receptacle, a condensing liquid in said receptacle lighter than said detergent liquid, a vent leading from said container and communcating with said receptacle below the level of condensing liquid therein, and an open vent to the atmosphere from said receptacle.

5. A dry cleaning system including a storage tank, a fabric treating compartment, a condenser, and a water seal receptacle, means 'for passing solvent from the storage tank to the treating compartment, means for passing the solvent laden vapors displaced in the treating compartment through the condenser, means for passing any uncondensed solvent vapors from the condenser to the storage tank, thereby equalizing the vapor pressure in the treating compartment and the storage tank, and means for conducting any excess vapors through the water seal to the atmosphere, whereby substantially atmospheric pressure conditions may be maintained within the system.

6. A dry cleaning system including a fabric treating compartment, a condenser, a sump tank, and a water seal receptacle, means for draining solvent from the treating compartment into the sump tank, means for conducting vapors displaced in the sump tank through the condenser into the fabric treating device, thereby equalizing the vapor pressure in the sump tank and the fabric treating compartment, and means for conducting any excess vapors through the water seal to the atmosphere, whereby substantially atmospheric pressure conditions may be maintained within the system.

7. A dry cleaning system in which a solvent which is heavier than water is utilized as a detergent, including a storage tank, a fabric treating compartment and a Water seal receptacle, means for passing a solvent from the storage tank into the treating compartment, means for-passing solvent laden vapors displaced in the treating compartment to the storage tank. thereby equalizing the vapor pressure in the treating compartment and the storage tank, and means for conducting any excess vapors through the water to the atmosphere, whereby the solvent vapors will be condensed and preserved in the water seal receptacle below the water and substantially atmospheric pressure conditions may be maintained within the system.

8. A dry cleaning system, in which a solvent which is heavier than water is utilized as a detergent, including a fabric treating compartment, a sump tank and a water'seal receptacle; means for draining solvent from the treating compartment into the sump tank, means for conducting vapors displaced in the sump tank into the fabric treating compartment, and means for conducting any excess vapor through the water seal to the atmosphere, whereby substantially atmospheric pressure conditions may be maintained within the system, and solvent vapors may be condensed and preserved in the water seal receptacle below the water.

9. A dry cleaning system including a reclaiming circuit comprising an evaporator, a storage tank and a liquid seal receptacle, means for evaporating the solvent, means for condensing the solvent vapors, means for passing any uncondensed solvent into the storage tank, thereby substantially equalizing the pressure in the storage tank and condenser, and means for passing excess vapors through the liquid seal receptacle to the atmosphere. whereby solvent vapors may be condensed and substantially atmospheric pressure conditions may be maintained within the system.

RUSSELL A. HETZER. 

